Push-button switch



Aug. 19, 1930. H. R. LIETZKE PUSH BUTTGN SWITCH Filed Sept. 4, 1928 Ibvwswrae .8441 v v Arron/vars Patented Aug. 19, 1930 UNETED STATESPATENT OFFKIE HENRY R. LIETZKE, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THEWARNER CORPORA- TION, 0F SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF INDIANAPUSH-BUTTON SWITCH Application filed September 4, 1928.

This invention relates to a new and improved. push button switch and themethod 01'. assembling the same and has particular reference to the typeof push button switch which is used with automotive signaling devices.

The usual signaling device used on an automobile is one which iselectrically driven and one with which a switch is required so that thesignal may be sounded as desired. The type of switch used with thesedevices is usually of a type which is normally held open by a spring thecontact being made by pressing down a button against the action of thespring.

The usual place for attaching the switch is on the top of the steeringcolumn of the vehicle and the usual method of assembling this type ofpush button switch has been to insert the button through a counter sunkhole in the top plate on the steering column, the button carrying aflange to limit its upward movement. With this method of assembly thediameter oi the button is necessarily limited by the size oi the holewhich can be made in the top plate, and the main object of my inventionis to devise a switch structure and a method of assembling the samewhich will permit the use of a button of any desired diameterirrespective of the size of the hole in the top plate.

Other objects and advantages relate to the size. shape and arrangementof parts and the method of assembling the same all as will more fullyappear from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation partially insection and partially broken away of the upper end of a steering columnwith my device in position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the improved push button.

Figure 3 is a section on line 33 of Figure 1..

liigurc 4' is a perspective view of the push button retaining member.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

The push button 1 has a body portion 2- of the usual circular shape andcarries Serial No. 303,802.

:1 depending tubular shirt 3 of a material of high conductivity. Theskirt 3* has a plurality, in this case shown as tour, of outwardlyextending spaced tongues t forming approximately right angles to themain body of the skirt -3. The push button retaining member -5 consistsof a circular disc having a central circular aperture 6. The walls ofaperture 6 are provided with a plurality, in this case shown as "tour,of inwardly extending U-shaped bosses -7 in spaced relation. The slots-8- in the bosses -7- are of a width to receive tongues l and theadjacent bosses 7- are spaced "from each other a distance which permitsthe passage between them of tongues I also provide a circular basemember -9 having a depending collar -10 adapted to be countersunk intothe hub 11- of the steering wheel -12. The upper portion of base member--9 is of a size and shape to register with the push button retainingmem her o There is usually provided on the top or" the steering wheel 12operating levers 13 and 14 for the control of the sparl-z and throttleof the vehicle and I have here shown such lever in position between pushbutton retaining member --5- and base member 9 altho such levers neednot necessarily be as sembled as indicated and may it desired beeliminated entirely. An insulated wire 15- leading from a source ofpotential, not shown, is positioned inside of the steering post 16. Wire-15 has its upper end secured in an insulated post 17 which post -17 issupported on a base 18. The insulation is removed from the end of wire15- and the exposed wire is placed in electrical connection with acontact post 19- on the upper end of post 17.

When it is desired to place my device in position switch button -l isassembled in switch button retaining member 5 by inserting tongues 4; inthe spaces between bosses -7 and moving them downwardly until theyextend beyond the end of bosses --7- so that switch button 1 may berotated in relation to switch button retaining lUU member 5 until thetongues i-- come into registration with slots 8 at which time switchbutton --lis moved upwardly until tongues 'l. engage the bottom of slots8- thereby limiting any further outward movement of switch button I fromswitch button retaining member 5.

lVith levers l3 and --l-l in position on base member 9 and with base 8in position on the upper surface of lever I place a circular spring -.20around post 'l"i. I then place switch button retaining member 5 on theupper surface of lever -H and I then secure base 9, levers l2 and it andswitch button retaining member 5 securely together by means of screwsi21. As may best be seen from Figure 3 levers 13 and -llare providedwith slots 22 so that they may be rotated with reference to the otherparts of the assembly. Collars -22 are provided so that push buttonretaining member -7 and base -9 will be held in spaced relation andlevers 18 and l lwill not be bound against rotation. When the parts havebeen assembled together base 9 is positioned in hub 11 ot the steeringwheel l2-.

l he length of spring 20 is such that it presses against push button -land normally holds it upward with tongues -l;-- against the bottom ofslots 8 and with tubular t l in spaced relation with contact post -l9The relation of parts is such, however. that push button -l may bedepressed against the action of spring -ZO until the tubular skirt -3-comes in contact with the post -l9- to complete the electrical circuitto the signaling device, not shown, and tubular shit -l will contactwit-h post l9 betore tongues -4. leave slots 8- so that they cannot bebrought into registration with the pas ways be ween bosses 'T- to permitbutton --1-- to be removed from switch button retaining member -5.

The tubular skirt 3 is as stated ot a material of high electricalconductivity as is also the switch button retaining member -a andinasmuch as the switch button retaining member is an electricalconnection to leve s -l3. -li and i and tha coring column -i which 'nautomotive vehicle it may be used for any purpose where a normally openpush button switch is desired, for altho I have shown and described aspecific structure and form of part as an exemplilication of anembodiment of my invention I do not desire to restrict mysell to theexact size, shape or arrangement of parts as various changes may be madewithin the scope of the appended claims.

hat I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, a push button having a dependingflange with laterally extending spaced cars, a push button retainingmember having a central aperture, inwardly extending spaced U-sh-ipedbos es in said central aperture said bii as having slots in their lowerends open at the bottom and means for yieldingly holrc'ling the ears onthe push button in the slots in the U- shaped bosses.

2. In a device of the cla s described, a push button having a dependflange with laterally extending spaced car a push button retainingmember having a central aperture, inwardly extending spaced U-shapedbosses in said central aperture, said bflbbciw' having slots in theirlower ends open at the bottom, means for yieldingly holding the ears onthe push button in the slots in the U- shaped bosses, and an electricalcontact post normally in spaced relation to the push button.

3. In a device of the class described, a push button having a dependingflange with lat erally extending spaced ears. a push button retainingmember having a central aperture, inwardly extei'iding spaced U-shapedbosses in said central aperture said bosses having slots in their lowerends open at the bottom, an electrical contact post normally in spacedrelation to the push button, and spring means for holding the e ctricalcontact posthnd the push button in such ced relation with the ears onthe push button positioned in the bosses in the slots in the push buttonretaining member.

4. In a device of the class described, a push button provided with aplurality of spa .:d radially extending flanges and a retaining memberfor said push button having a central aperture and recesses in thewallbordering said aperture whin which said radial flanges arepositioned said wall having longi tudinally extendin open ended slotsintermediate said recesses, and spri g means maintaining said parts inassembled position.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 31 day of August,1928.

HENRY R. LIETZKE.

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